SRIKAKULAM a story on stone . INTACH SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT CHAPTER All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than mat in which it is published. ©: INTACH. Srikakulam Chapter. Editor Dusi Dharma Rao, Convenor, INTACH. Photography & Designing : Manda Srinivasa Rao OO Authors: 1.The Origin 2.The Culture Prof: A.V.Dattatreya Sarma Ms.Jyoti C Singh Deo M.R.College Journalist, Life Member - INTACH Vizianagaram. Visakhapatnam. 3.The Folkart 4.The Epilogue Dusi Dharma Rao Dr.N.Nageswara Rao., I.A.S Convenor - INTACH Ex-Collector, Srikakulam. Srikakulam. Joint Director, Ministry of Tourism. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh Acknowledgments: This book would not have been possible without the active support of a number of people who contributed in various measures. We are thankful to all of them. It is not possible to mention each one of them. A few of them deserve special mention for their continuous support and guidance. l. Dept. of Archeology & Museums, Hyderabad 2. Prof. Kolluru Suryanaraya, Andhra University 3. Prof. A. Prasanna Kumar, Visakhapatnam 4. All INTACH members of Srikakulam District Chapter. 5. Department of Tourism & Culture Govt. of Andhra Pradesh 6. Dist. Tourism Promotion Council, Srikakulam District Printed at: GK Print House, Visakhapatnam. Published by: INTACH, Srikakulam District Chapter. e-mail: [email protected] Books available at : INTACH, Srikakulam. Cell : 9908101809, 9440759812 E-mail : [email protected] Price: Rs. 500.00 O CONTENTS O The Origin ...................................................................1-12 The Relics............................................................... 13-54 The Culture.........................................................55-82 The Folk ................................................................ 83-90 The Natural Heritage .............................91-98 The Epilogue....................................................99-112 AA 22ndnd CenturyCentury JainJain sculpturesculpture atat SangameswaraSangameswara Foreword RAJ BHAVAN HYDERABAD-500 041 GOVENOR ANDHRA PRADESH E.S.L. Narasimhan I am happy to note that INTACH is bringing out a book Srikakulam- A story on Stone, depicting the rich heritage and culture of this beautiful and picturesque land. I expect the book will serve as a source publication concerning the life and times of Kalinga Empire, the glory and grandiose of the kingdom which has left an indelible mark on the pristine land. Srikakulam, known for its rich heritage, has several ancient and popular places of historic importance. Prominent among those include Mukhalingam, the capital of Kalinga Empire and Arasavali, which is one of the four Sun temples, Buddhist monuments, stupas and edifices of historical importance. The extensive stupas are indicative that Buddhism flourished in this land once and the art and architecture showcases the aesthetic finesse and intricate and rich exposition of the times. I congratulate all those who are associated with this publication and I am confident it will serve as an important and authoritative throw back on the ancient and rich heritage of Srikakulam. Governor Inscriptions witnessing the History at Arasavalli Megalithic Dolmen Chamber of the Iron age period at Dannanapeta. Foreword Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture Department D-Block, 1st Floor, Room No. 221-A, A.P Secretariat, Hyderabad-500 022, ©:Off: +91 -40-2345 6717 Fax:+91-40-23454966 Res.:+91-40-2360 8883 Cell: 98480 45122 Smt. CHANDANAKHAN, I.A.S., e-mail: [email protected] Special Chief Secretary to Government www.aptourism.in (Tourism) It gives me immense pleasure to present the coffee table book Srikakulam A Story on Stone published by the INTACH Chapter of Srikakulam District. I have had the opportunity of serving Srikakulam district as a Joint Collector for some time in the past and it has given me satisfaction to contribute to the development of the district. The present compilation of the book on history and cultural heritage of the district in a pictorial essay initiated by the Collector Sri Saurabh Gaur and District Tourism Development Council certainly helps the Tourism Sector of the District. I hope that this book will go a long way in creating awareness in the public and bring developmental changes in tourism sector of the district. I am happy to recollect that a National Rural Art Camp (Workshop) initiated by me in the district in 2007 helped the artisans and painters in tribal population to eke out their livelihood and won accolades at various levels. I congratulate all the concerned who are instrumental in bringing out the prestigious volume in the history of the district. Shadbhuja Mareechi Idol at Salihundam Foreword COLLECTOR & DISTRICT MAGISTRATE SRIKAKULAM SAURABH GAUR, I.A.S., The enthusiasm I had at my arrival to Srikakulam as the Collector & District Magistrate has been verily matched with the expectations and positiveness of the people here. The passion and camaraderie displayed by the people of Srikakulam is very appealing, in that it displays a character of acceptance, benevolence and their openhearted nature. The book 'SRIKAKULAM - A STORY ON STONE' has provided a solid foundation for identifying the culture and tradition of an ancient civilization that continues to exist; surviving the vagaries of time. The present edition is an attempt to further understand and record the missing elements of man's sojourn from being a nomad to a civilized being. I hope that it would take us a step further in understanding and exploring the potential elements, traditions and the vast knowledge that its trail has left behind. I feel it is a matter of personal pride that, I have the opportunity to promote the culture and conserve the identity of the glorious past of this region and to help lay a platform for further generations to learn and build upon. The Upanishad Mandiram, the statues of luminaries of this region that have been installed, the promotion of ancient historical landmarks, the publication of various informative booklets, the launching of Srikakulam website, documentation of heritage sites, intangible cultural heritage of the District and many such activities undertaken by INTACH-Srikakulam, have all been a part of a sustained effort to add life and colour to the historical and glorious past of Srikakulam District. I earnestly hope that these efforts will fructify and bring back to us a semblance of the glorious and colorful past of this region. I congratulate all the concerned those who contributed their creativity in presenting the glory of the Srikakulam District in a unique way. 30th March, 2013 (SAURABH GAUR) THE ORIGIN Deerghasi Telugu inscription of Banapathi of 1077 A.D. (Nannaya period) 1 Map of the Srikakulam District 2 History is the convergence of divergent division of ancient India. influences that shape the past, but it is The Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the almost impossible to confirm the origin of Puranas, and the Buddhist Jataka tales a culture or its genesis. Civilizations rise confirm the antiquity of the region. The epic and decline, tribes divide and merge. Mahabharata mentions that a tribe called Different classes and societies gradually Andhras / Kalingas fought for the Kauruva’s combine over a period of time and a against the Pandava’s. transformed society is formed. The history of the district can be traced Ensconced between the great Eastern to the period when the Nanda’s ruled over Ghats, the Coromandel Coast and the this region in 4th century B.C. After North Coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh, Mahapadma Nanda subjugated northern Srikakulam is located at 18°21’ to 19°10’ India, he assimilated Kalinga into his vast longitude and 83°5’ to 84°5’ latitude. The empire. Pre-Mauryan black polished northern most tip of the state bordering potteries and punch marked coins Orissa. belonging to that era indicate that Kalinga The history of Srikakulam is connected was a prosperous state under the Nanda with the hoary past of Kalinga, a political rule. Inscription on a pillar at Srikurmanadha Temple. 3 Chandra Gupta Maurya overthrew the last Mahameghavahana dynasty ‘Kharavela’ who Nanda king in 322 B.C. During the time of reigned in the second half of the 1st Chandra Gupta, Kalinga declared itself century B.C was the most illustratious king independent. to have ever ruled over Kalinga. His grandson Asoka invaded Kalinga in The Hathigumpha inscription found in 261 B.C. and incorporated Kalinga into his Udayagiri (now in Odisha) furnishes a extensive empire. The Kalinga war is detailed account on the life and military recorded as the bloodiest war ever in the exploits of this great king. history of India. Over a hundred thousand It was only in 350 AD. that the Gupta were killed and half as many taken monarch Samudra Gupta subjugated prisoners. Kalinga. During this period, Buddhism was The terrible bloodshed caused by the predominant in this region. Excavations war filled Asoka with guilt and remorse. conducted at Salihundam on the banks of Subsequently he embraced Buddhism and river Vamsadhara revealed important followed the principle of Dharma Vijaya. Buddhist remains. Basements and foundations of apsidal brick chaitya and In the early 1 st century B.C. Kalinga stupa’s were excavated. Buddhist stone became independent under a Chedi chief images of Marichi and a few gold coins ‘Mahameghavahana’. The third ruler of the pertaining to the later Satavahanas found Lotus Symbol Stupa depicting Astangamarga at Salihundam 4 here indicate that Salihundam was a A new dynasty known as the early Eastern flourishing state. Gangas established themselves during this period in Srikakulam district. Indravarma-I Then came the Pitribhaktas who the founder of this dynasty defeated the reigned till the mid 5th century with their Vishnukundin king Indrabhattaraka and capital at Simhapura (Singupuram). The established his rule over the region with Vishnukundin king Madhavarma occupied Kalinganagara as his capital. They also had south Kalinga. a secondary capital at Danthapura.